Calendar of Events

Want to see the world? Join us for our 22nd annual International Festival, February 29,
10AM – 4PM. The Festival features a variety of world cultures through performances, food, crafts, children's activities, and more. From music to dance to art, there will be something of interest for all ages.

Adults $12, Seniors $11, Children ages 3-17 $10, Children under age 3: Free
CMOR Members receive $1 off each ticket
No other discounts on Festival Day

Proceeds benefit the Children's Museum. This event is supported in part by the Arts Fund of the East Tennessee Foundation and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information: 865-482-1074, www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Saturday at 6 PM – 11:30 PM
At Mighty Mud

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEEEAR! It's time for our annul Holiday Party. For those who are new to Mighty Mud, We like to have our Holiday Party after the actual holiday cause well, you know, it's crazy during that time. This year for the party it will be at Might Mud again in the 126 building starting at 6:00 PM.

The party will be pot luck. Please bring a dish for everyone to share. The studio only has a few serving utensils so if you bring a dish that requires one, please try to bring your own (it's always fun to serve your food in a dish you made :D)

All are welcome to bring their significant others. For our holiday game, this year we will be playing DIRTY SANTA! All you need to do is bring a wrapped gift. Try to keep your gift around $15-$20. No Need to sign up or anything, just bring a gift if you want to join.

If you have any questions about the party just let me (Ellie, The Party Planner Extraordinaire) know. https://www.facebook.com/events/581642509346715/

Part of the 2019-2020 Broadway at the Tennessee Theatre season

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Liaisons dangereuse, Waiting For Godot) and original direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland).

“WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “sweet, sassy and passionate,” according to New York Magazine.

"It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune. Don't miss this uplifting and hilarious musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.ticketmaster.com

“ShadowLight” by: Larry Delinger & Emily Anderson
February 28th & 29th, 2020 @ 7:30 pm
At The Beck Cultural Exchange Center 1927 Dandridge Ave. Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 524-8461

Starring:
Brandon J. Gibson as “Beauford Delaney”
Vincent Davis as “James Baldwin”
Regan Bisch as “Chorus #1”
Joshua Allen as “Chorus #2”
Breyon Ewing as “Chorus #3”
*Performed with orchestra

Directed by: James Marvel & Kathryn Frady
Cost: $30 General Admission/$15 Student
Duration: One Act, Approximately 1 hour

Synopsis: * World Premiere *
Art, light, and friendship tell the story of celebrated, Knoxville borne, African-American painter Beauford Delaney, who left the segregated South for the heady freedom of the Harlem Renaissance and Bohemian Paris. Famous singers, actors, writers, and other artists adored him. Foremost among them was his ‘spiritual son’ writer, James Baldwin, who credits his beloved mentor with teaching him how to live, learn, and see. This gentle, frequently suicidal soul, though plagued by poverty and schizophrenic voices, still filled hundreds of bright canvases with joy and hope. His journey out of darkness is a splendid testament to the courage of a gifted man who found in the mystical marriage of color and shape the healing grace of love.

* Presented as part of “ The Delaney Project: Gathering Light ” . For more info about the project overall and for a listing of other associated events visit: www.TheDelaneyProject.org

Tickets: Shadowlight.BrownPaperTickets.com
FB Event: www.Facebook.com/Events/708180002954516/
Website: www.MarbleCityOpera.com

Friday, February 28, 8 PM
Saturday, February 29, 2:30PM & 8 PM

Knoxville audiences will have the first opportunity to experiencedances that will inspire audiences in Tennessee and worldwide. Artistic Director Irena Linn and Associate Director Amy Wilson continue to hold high the standard of artistic excellence upon which TCDE was founded, a standard exemplified in a 2020 Season that is destined to delight and inspire audiences of all ages.

This year’s theme is “Resilience” and includes proven audience favorites such as “Fly Again” and “Black Snow,” along with the popular “Now Arriving” and “Lights Out” by Courtney Massey Kohlhepp. This year Knoxville can experience first-hand the world premiere of five new and exciting works, including “Savannah Grass”, which is dedicated to the animal victims of the Australian wildfires, and “Trying Times”, both choreographed by Amy Wilson as well as “I Believe”, choreographed to the popular music of Lauren Daigle, and “Waiting on Change” by resident choreographer Sarah Lynch.

Randy Duncan, former artistic director of the Joseph Holmes Dance Company and Dance Chair for Chicago’s High School for the Performing Arts, who has long delighted Knoxville with world premieres of his stunning dances, returns this year to offer the premiere of “Release,” a classic fast-paced work that leaves one amazed and breathless, and as always with Duncan, inspired!"

Adult Tickets $28.00, Children & Student Tickets $14.00

Discounted (and abbreviated) performances on Friday, February 28th at 9:15am and 12:15pm
Adult Tickets $10.00, Children & Student Tickets $6.00

For tickets, group sales or more information, call or email: 865-207-1954 (cheri@dancersstudioknox.com).
https://www.dancersstudioknox.com/

REMAINING PERFORMANCES (March 13-15) CANCELLED

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" will play in the Clarence Brown Theatre's Carousel Theatre February 26 - March 15, 2020. UT Faculty/Staff receive 20% off ticket prices. UT Students see the previews for FREE and the rest of the performances for $5, excluding Opening Night.

The Pay What You Wish Preview performance, where patrons can name their own price, will be held Wednesday, February 26th. Half of the proceeds from the Pay What You Wish tickets will benefit Friends of Literacy. Behind the Scenes Sunday will take place following the Sunday, March 1st matinee with a panel discussion tied into the themes of "Hamlet" and also the McClung Museum's "Visions of the End" exhibit as part of the College of Arts and Architecture's "Semester of the Apocalypse." A Talk Back with the actors will take place Sunday, March 8th following the matinee. The Open Captioned performance is Sunday, March 15th at 2:00 pm.

In the wake of his father's death, Hamlet finds both his personal and political worlds unimaginably changed. When his father's ghost demands vengeance, Hamlet must decide: submit or resist. Accept or avenge. Live or die.

"Hamlet" was written by Shakespeare sometime between 1599-1602. It is arguably one of his most famous tragedies. The lines from Hamlet's monologue in act three that begin "To be, or not to be..." have been studied and are widely known even amongst those that are otherwise unfamiliar with Shakespeare's work. Even in Shakespeare's own lifetime, "Hamlet" would have been performed multiple times and considered remarkably influential. Its appeal has not lessened over time.

John Sipes (Director) is a Professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Tennessee. Before joining the UT faculty, he was a Director and the Resident Movement Director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for fifteen seasons. Prior to his residency at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, John was a Director and Movement Director for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival for twelve seasons and served as the Festival's Artistic Director for five seasons. Directing credits include productions at the Clarence Brown Theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Milwaukee Rep, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and others.

1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-974-5161, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

SHOW TIMES: Thu: 8:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 pm, Sat: 8:00 pm, Sun: 3:00 pm

by Neil Simon
NOMINEE – 1964 Tony Award for Best Play

Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find – too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job.

After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does.

Paul just doesn’t understand Corie, as she sees it. He’s too staid, too boring, and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous. Running “barefoot in the park” would be a start…

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

The play will be performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM with one Sunday evening show on Sunday, March 8th at 7 PM.

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present Junie B. Jones The Musical JR., a delightful musical adaption from four of the Junie B. Jones series of best-selling books by Barbara Park. This new version is witty and charming with lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie's best friend, Lucille, has found new best friends and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting. Junie B. Jones The Musical JR. is a heartwarming show which follows a tremendously loveable girl as she learns growing up is scary, but it’s also kind of fun.

The play is performed by 21 talented young actors, from ages 8 to 15.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

Now in its second year, Take Action! Big and Small Ways to Save the Planet is a four-week conservation series that focuses on the many different ways you can have a positive impact on the planet. Classes, workshops and other activities will show you how to conserve natural resources and reduce your carbon footprint. Cleanup events and volunteer workdays will help you care for the place we all call home. This year’s lineup is going to be fun!

February 15 Volunteer Workday: Invasive Plant Removal (Noon-3 p.m.)
February 16 Conservation Conversations: Docuseries and Discussion (2-5 p.m.)
February 21 Parents’ Night Out (6:30-8 p.m.)
February 22 Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
February 25 Sustainable Adulting: Sew It, Don’t Throw it! (6-8 p.m.)
February 29 Fifth Annual Weed Wrangle Knoxville (9 a.m.-Noon)
February 29 Family Hootenanny (6-9 p.m.)
March 7 Outdoor Gear Swap and Bike Collection Event (9 a.m.-Noon)
March 7 Citizen Science Kick-Off (1-5 p.m.)
March 8 Slow Foods Potluck: On the Local Level (5-8 p.m.)
March 10 Sustainable Adulting: Everything You Thought You Knew About Recycling (6-7:30 p.m.)
March 14 Volunteer Workday: Grayson Subaru Preserve (Noon-3 p.m.)
March 15 Ijams Seed Swap (1-4 p.m.)
March 15 Family Pollinator Garden Workshop (1:30- 2:30 p.m.)

Details on each event at https://ijams.org/take-action-big-and-small-ways-to-save-the-planet/

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

In the Galleries
February 8 through March 22, 2020

Artists Reception: Saturday, February 8, from 7 to 9 PM
Gallery Talk: 6:30 PM

The event is free and open to the public.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

First Friday Reception: February 7, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Step out for love and paint the town crimson. Come and discover gift ideas various members of The Art Market Gallery created in wild and glorious red.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Awaken Coffee will host Peyton Tolleson on February 7 from 6-9. Payton is a self-taught, local artist. She works primarily with acrylic paint and enjoys the challenge of painting reflective and translucent subjects with bold contrasts and bright colors. Her Bar Series will be on display for the month of February.

Come join us for some light refreshments, exciting art, and great coffee.

Awaken Coffee is a live music venue, espresso bar, craft beer & wine bar and organic restaurant in the heart of downtown.

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: M-R 7 AM - 9 PM, F 7 AM - 10 PM, Sat 8 AM - 10 PM, Sun 2-8 PM. https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/